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Psalm 40 As a Torah Psalm1

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Psalm 40 As a Torah Psalm1 Psalm 40 as a Torah psalm1 P. Styger Y. Steenkamp Centre for BMI Department of Old Testament Studies Potchefstroom Campus Faculty of Theology North West-University University of Pretoria POTCHEFSTROOM PRETORIA E-mail: [email protected] E-mail:[email protected] D.J. Human Department of Old Testament Studies Faculty of Theology University of Pretoria PRETORIA E-mail: [email protected] Abstract Psalm 40 as a Torah psalm This article investigates whether the Gattung of Torah psalm can be added to the current accepted Gattungen of Psalm 40. The characteristics and criteria for Torah-related and wisdom- related concepts and their close interrelationship are discussed. The so-called characteristics of the Wisdom triangle and the Torah triangle are also explained. Psalm 119 as example of a Torah psalm is briefly discussed, indicating the interaction between wisdom-related and Torah-related concepts and identifying the criteria for a Torah psalm. The different words related to the Torah are identified in Psalm 119 and applied to identify other psalms possibly fitting the criteria for a Torah psalm. These psalms are then briefly evaluated – Psalm 40 as possible Torah-psalm in particular. It is concluded that the Gattung of Torah psalm can possibly be added to the current list of Gattungen associated with Psalm 40. The reference to the Torah in Psalm 40 possibly fits Torah-related concepts to a 1 Revised version of a paper read at the Pro-Psalm Conference, University of Pretoria, 19 August 2004. 2 The authors want to thank Professors Phil Botha and Piet Venter and Dr. Eduan Naudé for their helpful suggestions and comments on an earlier draft of the paper. At Lamprecht provided assistance with the Concordance research. In die Skriflig 39(1) 2005:133-153 133 Psalm 40 as a Torah psalm greater extent than wisdom-related concepts. In final instance the conclusion arrived at is that the connotation associated with or the relationship between Torah-related and wisdom-related concepts in post-exilic Israel and its role in the final redaction of the Psalter merits further investigation. Opsomming Psalm 40 as ’n Tora-psalm Hierdie artikel ondersoek die moontlikheid dat die Gattung van Tora-psalm bygevoeg kan word by die huidige erkende lys van Gattungen van Psalm 40. Die eienskappe van en kriteria vir Tora- en wysheidsverwante konsepte, asook hulle noue inter- aksie word bespreek. Ook die eienskappe van sogenaamde Tora- en wysheidsdriehoeke word verduidelik. Psalm 119 word kortliks bespreek as Tora-psalm, terwyl die interaksie tussen Tora-verwante en wysheidsverwante konsepte verduidelik word en die kriteria vir ’n Tora-psalm afgelei word. Die verskillende Tora-verwante woorde in Psalm 119 word geïdentifiseer en toegepas om ander psalms te identifiseer wat moontlik aan die kriteria van ’n Tora-psalm voldoen. Hierdie psalms word dan kortliks beoordeel – in besonder Psalm 40. Die gevolgtrekking word gemaak dat die Gattung van Tora-psalm moontlik by die huidige lys van Gattungen van dié Psalm gevoeg kan word. Die verwysing na die Tora in Psalm 40 pas waarskynlik meer in die Tora-konsep as in die Wysheidskonsep. Daar word aanbeveel dat die konnotasies en verhouding tussen Tora- en wysheids- verwante konsepte in die Israel van ná die ballingskap en die rol daarvan in die finale redaksionele samestelling van die Psalmbundel verder ondersoek moet word. 1. Introduction The classification of psalms into different Gattungen (types), e.g. the Gattung of individual lament or of royal psalm, is well known (see e.g. Gillingham, 1994; Bratcher, 2002a & b). Burger (1987:23) states that knowledge of the Gattung of a psalm is necessary to understand the psalm better. Some researchers, e.g. Whybray (1996) and Anon. (2004a), also include “Torah psalms” as a specific type of psalm. Although the word Torah appears in nine psalms, only Psalm 1 and Psalm 119 are regarded as “pure” Torah-psalms (Whybray, 1996:45-49), while other authors, like Mays (1987:3) add Psalm 19 as a third Torah-psalm. Psalm 40 has drawn the attention of psalm researchers for several reasons – inter alia: 134 In die Skriflig 39(1) 2005:133-153 P. Styger, Y. Steenkamp & D.J. Human • The debate whether this psalm condemns the offering of sacrifices. • The question whether Psalm 40 comprises a single poem or whether two poems (Psalm 40 and Psalm 70) are possibly linked together. • The quotation from the Psalm in Hebrews 10 (this allusion caused a debate relating to the meaning of the phrase in Psalm 40:7 regarding the opening or piercing of an ear). Different opinions regarding the Gattung of the Psalm currently prevail. In especially the Reformed Churches in South Africa (Gerefor- meerde Kerke in South Africa; GKSA) Psalm 40:4, as well as verses from Psalm 119 and Psalm 25:2, has for many years frequently been included in the liturgy and as a congregation’s reply to the reading of the law (confessional/penitential psalm). In the minds of many people Psalm 40 is perceived, like Psalm 119, a Torah psalm. The question can be asked whether Psalm 40 can also be regarded as a Torah psalm3 – in addition to this psalm’s other recognised and established Gattungen. Furthermore, the question whether Psalm 1, 19 and 119 are really the only Torah psalms also comes to the fore. To answer these questions the research results obtained from investigating the existing Gattungen of Psalm 40 will be scrutinised and the results of this research will be given in summarised form. The concepts Torah and wisdom and their interrelationship will necessarily be part of the discussion. Furthermore, the possible characteristics of /criteria for a Torah psalm will be deducted from results obtained after the investigation of specific characteristics of Psalm 119. Other Torah psalms and possible Torah psalms will briefly be discussed according to the above criteria. The possible status of Psalm 40 as Torah psalm will then be evaluated and finally some concluding remarks will be made. It is, however, important to remember Naudé’s (1999: 172) important warning that every psalm is a unique independent text that will not necessarily fit into one of the Gattungen. 3 The aim of the article is not to criticise the use of the Totius versification of Psalm 40:4 as confessional/penitential psalm used in the liturgy. In die Skriflig 39(1) 2005:133-153 135 Psalm 40 as a Torah psalm 2. Gattung(en) of Psalm 40 The research into the Gattungen of Psalm 40 resulted in quite diverse views and conclusions. Firstly, the results of Naudé’s (1999) comprehensive literature search will be summarised and then the views of other commentators will briefly be discussed. Naudé (1999:155) concludes that the research into the Gattungen of Psalm 40 can be divided in two parts: firstly research/researchers’ views concentrating on the possible division of the psalm into two distinct parts and secondly, research/researchers’ views not con- cerned with this issue and conducting their investigation along different lines. The main conclusions of Naudé’s study (1999:154- 172) can be summarised as indicated in Table 1 and 2: Table 1: Gattungen research focusing on the two parts of Psalm 40 Author Gattungen Gunkel Individual thanksgiving Individual lament Mowinckel Individual lament Individual (private) thanksgiving Song of praise Song of blessing Song of wrath Oesterley Individual thanksgiving (gratitude for recovery) Individual lament (prayer to be delivered from enemies) Ridderbos Thanksgiving (for deliverance) Lament (prayer in distress) Westermann Individual thanksgiving (berichtende & beschreiben- de Lobpsalm) Lament Weiser Song of praise Lament (prayer) Braulik Song of confession Individual prayer of lament Kraus Individual thanksgiving 136 In die Skriflig 39(1) 2005:133-153 P. Styger, Y. Steenkamp & D.J. Human Table 2: Other Gattungen research of Psalm 40 Author Gattungen Crüsemann Song of thanksgiving Prayer of lament Eaton Royal psalm Craigie Royal liturgy of lament/supplication Gerstenberger Complex prayer forming a liturgical unit Hossfeld & Thanksgiving for deliverance Zenger Confession to live according to God’s way Lament and prayer Naudé Song of praise for deliverance Confession Supplication/prayer The elements of songs/prayers of praise and lament form the main parts of most of the researchers’ views. The instructions of the Torah or the supposed behaviour of those living according to it did not feature as one of the key elements identified. The translators of the two Afrikaans translations of the Bible also “force” a Gattung onto the reader by adding a heading to the Psalm. In the 1933 translation it reads “Blessed is he who trusts in the Lord” (Welgeluksalig is hy wat op die Here vertrou) – a formulation which contains an element of praise and confession. In the 1983 translation the heading reads “Lord save/deliver me please/now” (Here, red my tog!) which relates to the Gattung of individual lament/ supplication/prayer. The heading of the Psalm in the King James Bible is “Praise for deliverance”, which highlights the element of praise. On the basis or the above brief discussion it can be concluded that although differences exist about the nature of the Gattung(en) of Psalm 40 the majority of the mentioned researchers acknowledge a combination of lament and a song of praise. 3. Torah-related and wisdom-related concepts Mays (1987:3) indicates that the issue of Torah psalms and Wisdom psalms in the Psalter is not primarily related to their interpretation as isolated texts; the issue rather concerns the presence of Torah- related and wisdom-related words and concepts in the Psalter and the implications for the way the Psalter is viewed and read. The In die Skriflig 39(1) 2005:133-153 137 Psalm 40 as a Torah psalm relationship between piety associated with wisdom and that of piety associated with obedience to the Torah in the late post-exilic period is widely recognised.
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